Carpe Diem

“Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today!”

On the other hand, it is a big trip but I have put this off for long enough so this is the year!

Route Planning

There are no ferries running from on the UK to Norway. The two options are ferry to Rotterdam and ride all the way or ferry from Harwich to Esbjerg in Denmark. Unfortunately, this latter option soaks up two days on each leg.

The most sensible route seems to be from Esbjerg to Hirtshal in northern Denmark, ferry to Kristiansand ( 2.5 hours) and then a direct route up the Norwegian coast. The return trip, which would be slightly shorter ,would be down the Swedish Baltic coast, ie west of the Baltic Sea, and down to Goteborg. From there we would get a ferry to Fredrickshaven ( 3 hours) and then arrive back in Esbjerg in time for the ferry to Harwich.

Tentative Itinerary

Day 1 Hull - ride to Harwich - ferry – Esbjerg – 1800h – over night – 1230 arrival

Day 2 Arrive Esbjerg 1230

– ride to Hirtshal in the north of Denmark. Coffee with friends in Aarhus

– 1800h sail to Kristiansand arrive 2030

Day 3 Set off from Kristiansand

Kristiansand – Norkapp is 1505 miles going up Norwegian coast

- Return trip via Swedish Baltic coast to Goteborg is 1422 miles

- Total is 2927 miles @ 9 days of riding is 325 miles per day

- Allows three days off for rest and contingency!! It might snow!

Day14 Arrive Goteborg

Day 15 Ferry to Fredrickshaven in DK - sails at 0900h – 3hrs.

- Ride to Esbjerg

- Overnight ferry to Harwich

Day 16 Harwich to Hull

Tentative timing

Leave from Hull Friday 25 June. Arrive back in Hull Saturday, 10 July. This is in effect two full weeks but leaves Sunday for recovery before returning to work. It is quite generous and in the main leg of Kristiansand to Nordkapp and then back to Goteborg, we would have 12 full days. This part of the trip is 2927 miles which in theory is 243 miles per day . However, I am assuming two days off and one contingency day. If we have the contingency day to spare we can use on the way home and spend a day in Olso.

Accommodation

For a small group, we could manage without reservations particular as huts on campsites are plentiful. I believe the huts are pretty basic but would do if we can’t find B&B. Reports are quite good. Huts are around £30 for a four man hut per night.

Ferries need to be pre-booked but the internal Scandinavian ferries are flexible if we change dates. Not sure about the Harwich ferry but if we were running late for whatever reason, we could probably change if we called ahead.

Other

Petrol stations are reasonably plentiful but open at odd hours, ie not early mornings and not in the evening. One report suggested carrying a jerry can.

Rotterdam option

This would add about 1500 miles in total. It is 735 miles from Goteborg to Europort which would two additional days in each direction. Given the 12 Scandinavian days in the itinerary, this would add four more but at least it incorporates a ferry to and from Hull. Nevertheless, it is a lot more miles!! That makes it 16 riding days with one day off averaging just under 300 miles per day. A real endurance test!

The Bike

I don't know what I will ride yet. Going to enjoy thinking about for a while yet!!!